Electric switch



May 22, 1928. 1,670,922 c. E. ANDERSON ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 18, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR BY JM ATTORNEYS Patented May 22, 1928.

.UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CARL ERIC ANDERSON, OF STRATFOBD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T THE BRYANT ELECTRIG COMPANY, 0F BRIDGEPOBT, rCONNECTICUT, A 'CGRPOBATION 'OF'OON- N ECTICU T.

i Application led lay 18,

My invention relates to electric switches, and particularly to a multiple device. 'lh'e object of my invention is to provlde a fitting of compact arrangement in which a group 6. of switches is assembled to independently control a roup of circuits-fior. instance, a grou -of independent lighting umts. The switc is preferably of the iush type, as illustrated yin the accompanying drawings, in which v Fig. 1 is a plan view of a flush switch with cover plate removed, and in which my. 1nvention is embodied in one form;

Fig. v2 is a longitudinal section therethrough; 0 i

Fig. 3 is a plan of a porcelainY body with the switch mechanisms removed;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan thereof; and Fi 5 is a transverse section through the switci. v

In house-wiring systems, it v:frequently happens that it is desirable to control at a single point a .group of separate lighting circuits,` for instance, a group of wall l1 hts $5 and two groups of chandeher hghts. h e

present invention provides a com ac t multiple switch in which each circuit 1s in dependently-controlled, the mechanism being of such compact arrangement that the msulating body of the switch may be-housed within an ordinary one-gang outlet. box. 3

As here shown, the present ttmg comprises a cup-shaped insulating bod 6, of enerally rectangular shape, across t e open ace of which extends a yoke piece 7 resting on ledges 8 on the opposite end walls of the body, and secured 1n positionby screw bolts 9 passing through theend walls of the body and taking into ta ed holes in lat- 40, erally extended ugs 14 a ]ace.nt the ends of the-yoke. The latter is provided with terminal ears l0 which extend beyond the ends` of the body and are slotted at 11 to receive the screws bywhich the fitting is mounted upon the lu s 12 of the outlet box 13, diagrammatical y illustrated in Fig. The yokes are also tapped at their opposite ends adjacentl the laterally projectin lugs14to receive thev screws 15, by whic the cover plate 16 may be secured in position over the installation to house-in the switch and impart a finish -to-the installation in the usual manner. The' cover plate is provided with a longitudinally extending bowed portion,17

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

1921. serial mi. 470,565.

-necting strap 24 let into the lower face of the base. ,Screw bolts 25 and 26 respectively, also engaging the strap 24, connect the latter with the terminal plates 27 and 28, arranged on opposite sides of the switch body and longitudinally spaced from each other and from the terminal plate 21. Associated with'the several terminal plates 21, 27 and 28, and preferably integral therewith, are switch terminals 29, 30 and 31 respectively. Diametrically opposite each of these terminals is a co-operating terminal 32,33 and 34, respectively, each having an associated'binding screw 35, 36 and 37 for connection with the distributing circuits controlled by the several switches. To ac'- commodate .the wires leadin' to these several circuits, the sidewalls o thefinsulating body are channeled at 38 and 39, the channel 38 being of sfuliicient width to accommodate the ranch wires from the wire terminals 35 and 36, together, while the chan-- nel 39 accommodates the branch wire' leading from the terminal 37.

'Controlling the several circuits are independent switch mechanisms of the toggle type. The details of these mechanisms may be variously modified, and inasmuch'asthey form no part of my invention, need not be described in detail. Each mechanism operates an oscillating switch bar 40, which makes or breaks connection between the terminals for the respective switches. This switch bar is carried by a yoke 41 pivoted at 42 on a switch frame 43, and is actuated through a switch spring 44 androcker 45 in a well-understood manner. 4 5 is also pivoted at 46 on t-he switch frame and is provided with an actuating thumbpiece 47 working inthe slot 18, which is substantially closed against the admission of foreign. matter, to the switch chamber,Y` by an arcuate shield 48. The latter may be used to carry switch indicating legends, one or the othero which i's visible through the slot 18 in the face plate, dependent upon .the position of the switch mechanism.

of the bot-tom of the frame secure the latter lswitch mechanisms for the purpose.

` t sulating body of generally rectan switches accordin to outwardly extending bays 51 spaced* along the length of the yoke 7, which isalso slot-ted at 52 to accommodate the rocker.

As will be recognized, the arrangement shown 'affords an extremely compact arrangement or a distributing switch of the type mentioned. The mounting of the several switch mechanisms independently upon the yoke makes it possible touse stand'jallld e independence of` the several mechanisms makes it possible lto vary the number of to the requirements of the installation; t us, if but a single switch is needed the-face plate will have but a single slot 18, and onl a single switch mechanism will be mounte on the yoke to connect the terminals 30 and 33. If only two switches are desired, those at opposite ends of' the switch chamber will be installed, omitting the intermediate mechanism, while the face plate is slotted to accommodate only the two rockersat opposite ends of the yoke 7. The

Vbase 6 may -be uniform for all of these 'variations, thus reducing the number of different porcelains required in different types of in. stallation. Various modifications in detailed construction will readily occur to those dealing with the problem, without departing from what I claim as my inventiom I claim- Y l. An electric switch,.comprising a cupshaped insulating base, a carrying yoke extending longitudinally of the chambered base above lts open face, independent pairs of cooperating switch terminals longitudinally spaced apart within the chamber of said base each of said pairs comprising terminals on opposite 'sides of the-switch chamber, independent snap switch mechanisms mounted on said'yoke and respectively cooperating with the terminal pairs, together with a shunt strap let into the lower face of the base and electrically connecting together one terminal of each pair, associated means for connecting thereto a leading-in wire, and means associated with the other terminal lof ca ch group for connecting thereto azbranch wire. f l

2. In an electrieswitch, a cupeshaped intour, a switch-carrying yoke exten ing longitudinally of said body above the open face thereof, in combinatlon :with a series of switch mechanisms supported on said yoke,-

lar con- 3. An electric switch, `comprising a cupshaped insulating body, laterally grooved to receive leading-in and distributing wires, the grooves for said wires being arranged on opposite sides of the base and certain of sald grooves being of suilicient size to accommodate a plurality of wires therein.

4. An electric switch, comprising a 'cupshaped insulating base, a -wire terminal at one side of said base for establishing electrical connection with a leading-in wire, strap means let into the lower` face of said base and electrically connected to said terminal, in 'combination with a plurality of switch terminals longitudinally spaced on opposite sides of said base andprojecting into the switch chamber, certain of said terminals being electrically connected to the said leading-in wire terminal through said strap means.

5.An electric switch, comprising a cupvshaped insulating base adapted to receive a plurality of switch mechanisms within its switch chamber, a yoke extending longitudinally across the open face of the switch chamber and adapted to carry a group of switch mechanisms, at leastA one switch mechanism mounted on said yoke, a wire terminal mounted on said base to receive a leading-in wire, an associated switch terminal, seats on .said base for a group of branchlineterminals, a branch-line terminal mounted on one of'said seats, and a switch terminal associated therewith and arranged to cooperate with Athe switch terminal associated with the terminal for the leading-in wire.

6. An electric switch comprising an insulating body recessed from one face to form a substantially rectangular `switch chamber ,channelled on its opposite sides, switch contrical connection between certain of said switch contacts.

7. An electric switch comprising an insulating body recessed from one face to form a substantially rectangular switch chamber channelled on its opposite sides, switch contacts arranged in the channels on the opposite. sides of the chamber, a supporting yoke extending longitudinally ofthe chamber across the open face thereof, independent switch mechanisms mounted on the yoke, a

switch bar for each mechanism, said switch.

mechanism operating on its associated switch bar to cause the same to rock transversely of the switch chamber to make and break con nection with switch contacts lying in channels on opposite sides of the switch chamber, and conductors carried by the base and establishing permanent electrical connection between certain of said switch contacts.

8. In an electric switch, a unitary switch base havinga line wire terminal and shaped to accommodate a plurality of switch contacts electrically connected to said line wire terminal, and a corresponding plurality of cooperating switch contacts, together with a supporting oke for the base overlying the latter and adapted to support independent switch mechanisms for making and breaking connection between any desired pair of cooperating switch contacts.

In testimony whereof I'have signed my name to this specification.

CARL ERIC ANDERSON. 

